Tramway-switch.



NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LESTER I-I. BAYNE,I OF WASHINGTON, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- FOURTHTO THOMAS B. CROUCH, OF BOWER HILL, PENNSYLVANIA.

TRAMwAY-SWITCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 692,759, dated February4, 1902.

Applicationled August 29, 1901. Serial No. 73,681. (No model.) l

To a/ZZ whom t may concern.-

Beit known that I, LESTER H. BAYNE, a citizen of the United States,residing at Washington, in the county of WashingtomState ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inTramway-Switches, of which the following is a specification, referencebeing had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to tramway-switches, and particularly to aconstruction adapted to be operated from a moving car or vehicle.

The invention has for an object to provide a construction whereby theshifting mechanism will be completely concealed beneath the roadbed andin such position as not to be interfered Withby the traffic upon thestreet wherein the tracks are located.

Another and further object of the invention is to provide mechanisms ina single casing whereby a switch may be operated in either direction orone or more switches controlled from a single point.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved constructionof switch-shift-V ing mechanism inwhich the contact ends of the leversare located in different 'horizontal planes, so that either may beoperated at will 1 by the depression of a plow carried by a moving carinto the plane of the lever.

Another objectof the invention is to provide an improved form ofswitch-box having independent tracks or ways thereinthrough which theplow for operating the'levers is adapted to pass.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear,and the novel features thereof will be particularly pointed out in theappended claims.

In the drawings, Figure l is a plan with parts vbroken away showing theinvention applied to a tramway-switch. Fig. 2 is an enlarged verticalsection through the switchbox. Fig. 3 is a central vertical longitudinalsection through Fig. l. Fig. 4 is an elevation showing theplow-operating mechanism applied to a car. Fig. 5 is a plan of thecontrolling-lever for the plow. Fig. 6 is a similar view of theoperating-cam for said plow.

Fig. 7 is a detail perspective of the plow.

rin the switch-box.

Fig. s is an enlarged' detail of the shiftingarm for the switch-points.s Fig.v 9 is a detail elevation of one of the operating-levers with-Fig. lO is a detail per-` spective of the cover for the switch-box, and

Fig. ll is a vertical cross-section through the saine.

Like letters of reference indicate like parts throughout the severalfigures of the drawings. In the accompanying illustrationthe inventionis shown as applied to a tramway comprising the opposite railsAandswitch-points A to be shifted in order to direct thecar onto theswitch-track A2, although the invention is capable of application toany` form of road-bed or railway. The movablepoint-s A bf the switch areconnected togetherbya cross-bar A3, which isv pivotally securedto anoscillatin g arm A4 for moving the same, which arm is pivotally mounted,as shown in'Fig. 3, and provided with crank-arms A5 at opposite sideshaving connectors A?, extending to the switch-box B, located between therails. These connectors may be either rigid rods or of a flexiblecharacter, as found most convenient tothe position where they must beapplied. lIt will also be obvious that one of the movable points A maybe shifted to vthrow the switch, although it has been found desirable tomove both points simultaneously, as herein illustrated.

For the purpose of operating the'connectors A6 to shift the partsvhereinbefore described shifting-levers O have been pivotally mountedwithin the switch-box B or a suitable space beneath the same and areprovided at their upper ends with contact-faces C', lying in differenthorizontal planes, and opposite slot-s or ways B2 and B3, respectively,formed in the upper portion B' of the switchbox. The leversy O arepivoted at substantially midway of their length, and the lower 1 endsthereof are normally drawn together by means of springs C2, connectingthe same, while the upper ends of one set of the levers are providedwith laterally or horizontally disposed portions 03 in order to permitthe free plow D passes through the switch-box. This operation of thelower set of levers when the IOO structure of parts is more clearlyshown in Figs. 2 and 9. Each of these switch-levers is similar inconstruction and operation, and they are disposed in parallel verticalplanes, with the upper end C of each lever in a different horizontalplane. The lower ends of the levers are provided with connectors A7,extending from each lever to the end of the connector A6, so that whenthe ends of the levers are separated the connectors A7are drawn towardthe levers and a reciprocating movement imparted to the connector A6 toperform the shifting operation. (See Fig. S.) These connectors, asbefore stated, may be of any desired material, and in many cases it hasbeen found desirable to provide the same with a coiled spring, as shownat A8 in Fig. 3, to prevent a shock to the parts when the contact ofaplow therewith occurs and to retain the several connections under theproper tension.

The plow D s carried by a car or any suitable moving vehicle and isprovided with a vertical shank D', sldably mounted in a keeper D2 andconnected at its upper end to a bellcrank lever D3 and normally held inthe position shown in Fig. 4 by means of a tensionspring D4 or othersuitable device. The plow is provided with a curved face D5 uponopposite sides, which at each end terminates in points DG, so as toeffect a gradual separation of the switch-levers and to permit theclosing of the same as the plow leaves the switch-.box without danger ofinjury to the parts. As before stated, this plow is adapted to belowered into one or more predetermined planes for the purpose ofactuating either of the shifting-levers, and any mechanism may be usedfor eiecting this movement of the plow. As illustrating one formthereof, a controlling-leverE is shown in Figs. fi and 5 adapted torotate above an indicating-plate E and provided with a shaft E2,carrying at its lower end a cam E3, as shown in Fig. 6. The movement ofthis cam causes a greater or less reciprocation of the connector E,extending to the crank-arm D3, as will be seen by dotted lines in Fig.6, and the desired extent of movement can be governed by the operatorthrough the medium of the indications upon the plate l', so as topositively assure the contact of the plow with the proper switch-leveras the car approaches the switch-box B. The plow and operating partsthereof are supported upon the trucks of the car, so as to avoid allvibration or motion of the body upon the springs which would render theoperation of the parts inaccurate under other conditions.

In the operation of the invention it will be seen that the plow upon thecar is depressed to the proper plane for operating the lever to shiftthe switch in the desired direction.' For instance, if a car wereapproaching in the direction of the arrow upon Fig. l and desired tocontinue upon the main tracks A the switch A would need to be shiftedfor that purpose. The plow would consequently be adjusted to esenteengage the lower lever C, Fig. 3, and shift the arm A5 to the left, thusthrowing the switchpoints into position to leave the main line open. It'the next car desired to enter the switch, the plow thereon would boadjusted to engage the upper lever, and by shifting the same through theconnecting mechanism shown the switch-points would be restored to theposition shown in Fig. l. As shown in said ligure, the switch-boxes Bhave been duplicated upon the main line at the right of the switch, soas to either open or close the same, and also upon the switch-track A2,so as to control the switch from that direction, and it will be seenthat the several connectors may be extended to a single shifting-arm A4or connected to shift the points in any desired manner. By reference toFig. 2 it will be seen that the upper switch-levers C are necessarilyprovided with lateral portions C3 in order to allow the plow to passinto contact with the lower levers without touching or aecting thecontacts of the upper levers. It will be seen from the constructionherein disclosed that all the parts for operating the switch areconcealed beneath the tracks, and the single slot for the plow, beingthe only exposed part, is not liable to injury bythe ordinary trafficupon the street, nor is the switch liable to be misplaced by the contactof any vehicle therewith. It will also be obvious that the curved facesof the operatingplate of the plow are adapted to permit an operation ofthe levers under any desired speed at which the car may be approachingthe switch-box without danger of injury to any of the paris, as thecontact is a gradual one in both opening and closing the levers.

It will be obvious that changes may be made in the details ofconstruction and configuration of the several parts without departingfrom the spirit of the invention as dened by the appended claims.

Having described my invention, what is claimed is- 1. In atramway-switch, a movable switchpoint, vertically-disposed pair oflevers connected therewith to shift said point,and means for separatingthe ends of the pair of said levers; substantially as specified.

2. In a tramway-switch, a movable switchpoint, a plurality ofoperating-levers having their operative ends in different horizontalplanes, and connections between said levers and the switch-point foroperating the same independently by each lever; substantially asspecified.

3. In a tramway-switch, a movable switchpoint, a plurality ofoperating-levers having their operative ends in different horizontalplanes, connections between said levers and the switch-point foroperating the same independently by each lever, and a cover-plate forsaid levers provided with slots or ways in alinement with the operativeend of each lever; substantially as specified.

4. In a tramway-switch, a movable switch- IOO IIO

point, a plurality of operating-levers having their operative ends indifferenthorizontalplanes, connections between said levers and theswitch-point for operating the same inde-I pendently by each lever, acover-plate for said levers 'provided with slots or ways in alinementwith the operative ends of each lel ver, and means for normally drawingthe operative ends of said levers toward the center of each slot orway;substantially as specilied.

5. In a tramway-switch, a movable switchpoint, a plurality ofoperating-levers having their operative ends 4in different horizontalplanes, connections between said levers and the switch-point foroperatingthe same independently by each lever, a cover-plate fory saidlevers provided with slots or ways in alinement with'the operative-endsof each lever, means for normallyA drawing the operative ends of saidlevers toward the center of each slot or way, and branched connectorsextending from the ends of said levers to the connector for controllingthe switch-point; substantially as specified.

6. In a tramway-switch, a movable switch-V point, a plurality ofoperating-levers having their operative ends in different horizontalplanes, connections between said levers and the switch-point foroperating the same independently by each lever, a cover-plate for saidlevers provided with `slots or ways in alinement with the operative endsof each lever, means for normallydrawing the operative ends of saidlevers toward the center of each slot or way, branched connectorsextending from the ends of said levers to the connector for controllingthe switch-point, and a plow having curved faces for operating eitherofsaid levers having curved faces; substantially as specified.

7. In a tramway-switch, a movable switchpoint, a'plurality ofoperating-levers having their operative ends in diierent horizontalplanes, connections between said levers and the switch-point foroperating the same independently'by each lever, a cover-plate for saidlevers provided with slots or ways in alinement with the operative endsof each lever, means for normally drawing the operative ends of saidlevers toward the center of each slot or wayybranched connectorsextending from the ends of said levers to the connector` for controllingthe switch-point, a

plow having curved faces for operating either of said levers havingcurved faces, and means carried by a moving part for depressing the plowinto different horizontal planes; substantially as specified.

8. In a tramway-switch, an operating-plow for the'same verticallyadjustable upon a moving member, a pivoted shaft and cam for adjustingsaid plow, and an indicating handleand dial for governingsaidadjustment; substantially as speciiied. p

9. In a tramway-switch, an operating-plow for the same verticallyadjustable upon amoving member, a pivoted shaft and cam for adjustingsaid plow, an indicating handle and dial for governing said adjustment,a bell.

cranklever connected kto the upper end Vof said plow, and a connectionextendingfrom said lever to said cam; substantially as speciiied.

10. In a tramway-switch, opposite movable switch-points Aconnected by abar, anoscillating arm connected( to said bar, a crank-arm movable withsaid oscillating arm, switchbox, a connector running from' said armr tosaid switch-box, and means located within said boxfor reciprocating saidconnector; sub= stantially as specified.

11. I n a tramway-switch, a switch-box hav-.-

ing at its upper portion a casing provided'witli slots in different`horizontal planes, aApair of switch-operating levers disposed withinsaid box and having contact-faces disposed'at opposite sides of each ofsaid slots, a spring connectingsthe lower ends of saidpair of levers,and a connector extending from saidl'evers toa movable switch-point;substantially as specified. v Y l2. A cover for-a tramway switch-boxcomprising a casing having-a longitudinal slot in its upper face, andVslots or openingsindifferent horizontal planes atone end of said cover;

substantially as specified. v i v 13. In a tramway-switch, thecombination with a movable switch-point, of independent operatingmechanisms. for moving said r`point,L

in opposite directions having their YKcontact portions disposed indifferent planes, vand Va contact-face carried bya moving member andadapted to loe thrown into the plane of either.

of said'switch-operating mechanisms; substantially as specied. Y Y

14. In a tramway-switch, the combination withvertically-disposedswitch-operating le.

vers having-their 4contact .ends in `different horizontal' planes, aplowadapted to engage said ends to shift either of the levers, and

means for adjusting saidplow intothe plane.

ofeither of saidoperating-levers.

Vl5. -A switch-operatingmechanism comprising a vertically adjustableplow mounted upon a truck of a moving member, .and means plow inavertical plane ;,substantiallyasspecified. y

In testimony in presence of two witnesses.

- LESTER II. BAYNE.

Witnesses:

- ALFRED T. GAGE, WM. D'. SHOEMAKER. Y

whereof I aftix my signature IOO IIO

i carried -by said member for adjusting said

